Salvia lycioides
Encyclopedia
Salvia lycioides is a perennial native to a wide area ranging from west Texas
and New Mexico
in the U.S., south through Mexico to the state of San Luis Potosi
. It typically grows on dry limestone hills and canyons above 5,000 feet elevation. It was named in 1886 by Asa Gray
, the most respected American botanist of the 19th century. The specific epithet, "lycioides", from the Greek, is due to the plant's resemblance to Lycium, a genus also known as "boxthorn" in the nightshade family.
Salvia lycioides reaches about 1-1.5 feet in height and width, sprawling gracefully, with many branches growing up and out from its base. The small mistletoe-green flowers cover the plant, are less than 1 inch long and .5 inch wide, and are evergreen in a mild climate. The bright cornflower-blue flowers bloom mostly in the spring and fall, when the nights are cooler, with sparse blooming during the summer.
It is relatively unknown in horticulture. A selection named "Guadalupe Mountain Form" has smaller leaves and flowers, which are a deep delphinium blue.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
in the U.S., south through Mexico to the state of San Luis Potosi
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
. It typically grows on dry limestone hills and canyons above 5,000 feet elevation. It was named in 1886 by Asa Gray
Asa Gray
-References:*Asa Gray. Dictionary of American Biography. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928–1936.*Asa Gray. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998.*Asa Gray. Plant Sciences. 4 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 2001....
, the most respected American botanist of the 19th century. The specific epithet, "lycioides", from the Greek, is due to the plant's resemblance to Lycium, a genus also known as "boxthorn" in the nightshade family.
Salvia lycioides reaches about 1-1.5 feet in height and width, sprawling gracefully, with many branches growing up and out from its base. The small mistletoe-green flowers cover the plant, are less than 1 inch long and .5 inch wide, and are evergreen in a mild climate. The bright cornflower-blue flowers bloom mostly in the spring and fall, when the nights are cooler, with sparse blooming during the summer.
It is relatively unknown in horticulture. A selection named "Guadalupe Mountain Form" has smaller leaves and flowers, which are a deep delphinium blue.